Can we detect in the apostolic exhortation Evangelii gaudium by Pope Francis an attempt to provide the Church with a principle for interpreting the highly complex and diversified work of Vatican II? This article responds to the question first by identifying the style of the document, then looks at its main decision, which points to the intrinsic link between preaching the Gospel to all creatures – to the poor in particular – and reform of the Church and finally presents the doctrinal consequences of this decision.